The 1973-S Roosevelt Dime is worth anywhere from $1.50 in typical proof condition to over $500 for rare, high-grade specimens. While most found in old collections are worth a few dollars, certain “Deep Cameo” versions and rare mint errors can command significant premiums from serious coin collectors.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
PR 65 (Standard Proof)	$1.50 – $3.00
PR 69 Deep Cameo	$15.00 – $25.00
PR 70 Deep Cameo (Perfect)	$500.00 – $800.00+

Identifying the 1973-S Roosevelt Dime

If you’ve discovered a shiny dime with an “S” mint mark, you’ve likely found a proof coin struck at the San Francisco Mint. Unlike the dimes you find in your pocket change, which were made for general circulation in Philadelphia or Denver, San Francisco exclusively produced proof sets for collectors in 1973. If you’re unsure of what you have, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between a standard business strike and a specialized proof strike in seconds.

The 1973-S Roosevelt Dime features the classic portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse. On the reverse, you’ll see a torch symbolizing liberty, flanked by an olive branch for peace and an oak branch for strength. The “S” mint mark is located just above the date on the bottom-left side of the obverse. Because these coins were never intended to spend, they often retain their mirror-like finish, but their value depends heavily on how well that finish has survived over the decades.

When evaluating your collection, CoinKnow is an excellent tool to help you catalog your finds and track market trends. Most 1973-S dimes were sold in rigid plastic cases as part of a 1973 Proof Set. If yours is loose and scratched, it may have been “broken out” of a set and spent as regular money, which significantly lowers its collector value.

Understanding Proof Coin Grades and Finishes

The value of a 1973-S dime is almost entirely dictated by its “Cameo” effect. In 1973, the minting process was evolving. A “Cameo” (CAM) coin has a noticeable contrast between the frosted devices (the portrait and lettering) and the mirror-like background (the fields). A “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) or “Ultra Cameo” has an intense, heavy frost that makes the image of Roosevelt pop against a black, reflective background.

Because millions of these were produced, a standard proof without a strong cameo effect isn’t worth much more than its face value or a small premium. However, 1973-S Roosevelt Dime price data shows that specimens graded as PR70 Deep Cameo—the highest possible grade—are extremely rare. Auction records show these perfect coins selling for hundreds of dollars because they are the “best of the best” for Registry Set collectors.

Finish Type	Visual Description	Rarity Level
Brilliant Proof	All-over mirror finish, no frost.	Common
Cameo (CAM)	Light frost on Roosevelt’s face.	Moderate
Deep Cameo (DCAM)	Heavily frosted images, jet-black fields.	Scarce in Grade 70

Why the 1973-S Mint Mark Matters

The mint mark is the tiny letter that tells you where your coin was born. In 1973, the San Francisco Mint struck 2,760,339 proof dimes. While nearly three million might sound like a lot, it is a tiny fraction compared to the hundreds of millions of dimes struck in Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D mint mark) that same year.

Collectors pursue the “S” mint mark because it represents a higher level of craftsmanship. These coins were struck at least twice by specially polished dies to ensure every detail of the design was sharp. If you find a 1973 dime in your change without an “S,” it is almost certainly a common circulation coin worth only ten cents. To see how your coin compares to these common versions, you can review this 1973 dime value guide which breaks down the differences between Philly, Denver, and San Francisco strikes.

Using CoinKnow can help you determine if your “S” mint mark is genuine. While rarely counterfeited, some unscrupulous people might try to glue an “S” onto a common dime. A high-resolution photo in a coin app can quickly help you see if the mint mark looks natural or “added on.”

The Rarity of a Perfect PR70 Grade

In the world of professional coin grading (using services like PCGS or NGC), a grade of 70 is perfection. For the 1973-S Roosevelt Dime, achieving a PR70 Deep Cameo grade is incredibly difficult. Even though the coins left the mint in great shape, the plastic packaging used in the 1970s often allowed the coins to rattle or develop “toning” (discoloration) over time.

A single hairline scratch, visible only under a microscope, will drop a coin from a $500 value down to $20. This is why “raw” coins found in desk drawers rarely hit the big-money numbers. However, if you have a 1973 Proof Set that has been sealed in a box for 50 years, you might just have a candidate for a top-tier grade.

Grade	PCGS Price Guide	Recent Auction Average
PR 67 DCAM	$10	$6 – $8
PR 68 DCAM	$15	$12
PR 69 DCAM	$24	$18
PR 70 DCAM	$850	$450 – $600

Are There Any Rare 1973-S Errors?

While most 1973-S dimes are valued for their condition, some collectors hunt for “mint errors.” Error coins occur when something goes wrong during the striking process. In proof coins, errors are exceptionally rare because the Mint’s quality control for proof sets is much stricter than for regular change.

Common errors to look for include “double dies,” where the lettering or date appears doubled, or “off-center strikes,” where the design is pushed to one side. For the 1973-S, there aren’t many famous major varieties, but minor doubling on the obverse can sometimes be found. Tools like CoinKnow allow you to zoom in on your coin’s details to see if the “1973” or the word “LIBERTY” looks thicker than it should. An error on a proof coin can easily triple its value or more, depending on the severity of the mistake.

Tips for Selling Your 1973-S Roosevelt Dime

If you believe you have a high-value 1973-S dime, don’t rush to the nearest pawn shop. Most pawn shops or “we buy gold” stores will only offer you face value or a few cents for a proof dime unless it is professionally graded. To get the best price, you must first determine if your coin is worth the cost of professional grading (which usually costs $30-$50 per coin).

If your coin is in the original 1973 Proof Set envelope, it is often better to sell the entire set together. These sets currently sell for around $5 to $10 online. If you have a loose coin that looks flawless, consider showing it to a reputable local coin dealer or using an online community to get an unofficial opinion before spending money on plastic “slabbing.” Remember, condition is everything; even tiny fingerprints can contain oils that will eventually eat into the coin’s surface and destroy its value.

FAQ

Q: Does a 1973-S Roosevelt Dime contain silver?

A: No, the 1973-S Roosevelt Dime is not made of silver. It is composed of a copper-nickel “clad” composition (91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel). The US Mint stopped using silver for dimes in 1964, though they later released special silver proofs starting in 1992.

Q: How can I tell if my 1973 dime is a proof?

A: You can identify a 1973-S proof by its “S” mint mark and its exceptionally shiny, mirror-like surface. If the fields (the flat parts) look like a mirror you can see your reflection in, it is a proof. Modern circulation dimes from Philadelphia or Denver have a more dull, “satin” or matte appearance.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1973-S dime?

A: The record prices for this coin are held by PR70 Deep Cameo specimens. In recent years, these have sold at major auctions for prices ranging from $400 to over $800. Most 1973-S dimes, however, sell for less than $5 in the open market.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1973 Roosevelt Dime?

A: The mint mark is found on the obverse (front) of the coin. Look just above the date on the left side. You will see an “S” for San Francisco, a “D” for Denver, or no letter at all, which signifies it was minted in Philadelphia.